Ned O'Keeffe
Ceist:384 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education when funding will be made available to a school (details supplied) in County Cork to purchase computers. [1683/97]
Written Answers. - School Equipment.
There are no specific funds available from my Department to assist primary schools with the purchase of computers. At primary level funds for the day-to-day running costs of schools, including the provision of equipment such as computers, are provided by my Department by means of capitation grants. Since taking office I have increased substantially the capitation rate for primary schools from a level of £28 per pupil in 1992 to £45 per pupil in 1996. This amounts to an increase of 60 per cent over a four year period.
The Deputy can be assured that the funding of education at primary level is the subject of ongoing review by my Department.